Why it is not possible to have a padlock.

[Soulyss]

You know Hblair, untill just the other day I forgot there was a padlock feature in AH.  

[MANDOBLE]

hblair, try the feature named "padlock" in falcon4, then tell me if we have something similar here.

[AKDejaVu]

Add me to the list of people that never tried it.

AKDejaVu

[Lephturn]

I tried it and played with it a bit so I could explain it to trainees if asked.  It works pretty good, and stays within the limits of the view system.  I am good enough with the snap views that I don't need to use it.  Any padlock deprives me of physical feedback I use to orient myself, and therefore I prefer snap views and always will.  If newbies are having trouble with the views I'll have them try the padlock and see if they like it.  The padlock shows them how to track targets when they are learning, and then they can switch the views themselves when they get better.  

The padlock is fine, it just can't compete with what I find to be the best damn view system ever in a sim.  It doesn't take long for most new pilots to discover the advantages of the fantastic snap view system we have and switch to that.

------------------
Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

[Staga]

I don't evem know what key is it for padlock...
hmm they moved key which opens text-buffer so guess its tab then ?

[anRky]

I was reading through this thread, the whole time thinking 'Don't we already have a padlock view?', but I couldn't remember for sure.

Then I looked at the dates on the messages  

anRky

[maik]

never tried, what was the key for it ?  

maik

[airspro]

Heath , call me spoiled but I love the AH viewing system . I don't for a second miss paddock and I used it all the time in CFS and FA were I came from .

That said the reason I replyed was I installed the Mig Alley game last night and they don't have the 8 + 5 view or 5 + 2 view   , it does have paddock and the type of panning view that found on Falcon "I think" I can now use that to track but I surely miss AH's view system .

I guess it took me about 9 months till it really was "easy" I mean the views . Before that I had to really work at them . That said views are easier to learn than my shooting with pedals , hehe . I should also tell you , I know why you bought my hoffmans from me now , hehe . Would never go back , even if it's somewhat harder now  

Take care
spro

------------------
airdrne in H2H

air_rules = Play fair ....Don't worry about points......Keep a sense of humor......Drink Jim Beam......and don't let the fediddlein cat walk on the keyboard.......!!!
       www.airsquadron.com

[This message has been edited by airspro (edited 05-17-2001).]

[Wlfgng]

HB...I tried the padlock mode and discarded it.  The reason was personal...
Yeah, the system kept track of the NME by use of changing views, but I didn't like it because it 'forced' me to look where the NME was.  
An example:  I'm saddled up on NME's 6 and decide I need to pull my AC nose up (lots of E) since I'm going to overshoot him.  
I know that even though my nose is pointed up and I can't see him for an instant (or two), I can still find him below me if I roll over.. (which I plan to do)..
The problem with the padlock (as it was when I tried it) is that the view changed from what I really wanted.. I.E. from forward view.

In a nutshell, the padlock view forced me to look at the target when sometimes I really don't want to.. at least for a few moments.

According to Hitech, this has been resolved.. both with the "out of sight, out of track-mode" and with the option of overriding the padlock with our current view system.

Time will tell if I like this new padlock or not.  I'm sure it'll be a 'personal preference' thing just like the Combat Trim.  I doubt if it'll give a newbie an unfair advantage.. besides it's there for everyone to use.. how more fair can ya get ?  

[RebootSequence]

I've had the buttons to switch from padlock to snap view mapped on my joystick for a while but hardly ever used it.  However, I decided to start using it more about a week ago.  

I usually don't need it at all but I found for one particular situation it is great.  An example would be when I am low in a spit and an e fighter (like a p51) is high on my 6 and diving at me.  

What I will do is padlock him so I can then make a high g turn at the last possible moment.  I switch to forwad view using the number pad for just a moment as I start the turn.  Then I let it padlock back and then I can quickly reacuire target when I've turned about 90-120 degrees.  

Padlock is great for doing this repeatedly to bleed their E.  If they take the bait and manuever for the shot each time they will eventually run out of energy and I can kill them.  

When I do this a bunch of times without padlock (sometimes with, but less often), I eventually screw up a turn and they get me..

-sequence

[Degas]

I'm FINALLY getting a few kills in fighters, thanks to Mitsubishi    That A6M is a dandy ride.

I've never used padlock, and that's on purpose.  The "other" game I plan on playing is not going to have padlock, so I didn't want to get used to it.

The AH snap view/hat switch system has a STEEP learning curve.  I think using padlock would just make it that much steeper.  Of course, the steeper learning curve is that of anticipating where the enemy is when you inevitably lose sight of him for a second or two